The Best Online Paralegal Programs

Although lawyers get much of the credit in the courtroom, paralegals are often behind much of the work that goes into building a solid legal case.

Paralegals provide essential services to law professionals, like conducting legal research, organizing information into detailed reports, and summarizing testimony. The nature of their work requires paralegals to have extensive knowledge of law and legal practices.

A quality education in paralegal studies can result in a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree. Discover what the best online paralegal programs offer future paralegals and what to expect from these programs.

Students interested in online paralegal programs can earn a paralegal certificate, a paralegal associate degree, or a paralegal bachelor’s degree.

A paralegal certificate provides the basic qualifications for paralegal positions. These programs, which can be undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate level, focus primarily on core concepts in the field.

While some programs confer a non-credit paralegal certificate, others award credit that learners can apply toward an associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree. Depending on the program, students can earn a paralegal certificate in as few as six months.

Students earning an associate in paralegal studies online complete major courses and general education requirements. Students in these two-year programs gain more foundational knowledge than learners in paralegal certificate programs.

Associate coursework often covers topics including English, communications, math, and foreign languages. Online paralegal associate degrees may offer concentration options and often include an internship or practicum experience, which may be optional or mandatory.

A bachelor’s in paralegal studies usually takes four years to finish 120 credits. Students complete some general education courses, like composition and communications, but most classes are major-specific, covering concepts like criminal procedures, estate planning, and civil litigation.

Some bachelor’s programs require internships where students gain on-the-job skills and firsthand experience of a paralegal’s daily responsibilities.

Though paralegals cannot receive certification from the American Bar Association (ABA), they can earn their education from ABA-approved paralegal programs. Because the ABA requires programs to meet a difficult set of criteria, ABA approval demonstrates high quality.

Based on input from legal professionals, corporations, government agencies, and local bar associations, ABA-approved programs feature curricula designed to prepare paralegals for the workforce. A degree from an ABA-approved program is an attractive credential for job-seekers. Only about 25% of the country’s paralegal associate and bachelor’s programs hold ABA approval.

Educational outcomes and learning experience vary by program, so students pursuing an online paralegal degree or certificate should research their options before selecting a school. Because earning a college degree or certificate requires significant financial and time commitments, students should choose an accredited online paralegal program that helps them achieve their career goals.

The list below includes crucial factors to consider when evaluating prospective schools.

Program Cost: The cost of earning a degree or certificate depends on various factors. In-state learners often pay lower tuition rates than out-of-state students, and online students may save money on tuition, transportation, and housing. Part-time learners typically pay more overall, although their cost per semester may prove lower than that for full-time students.

Transfer Policies: Accredited institutions rarely accept credits earned through unaccredited schools. Learners planning to transfer to a four-year school after earning an associate or certificate should research prospective schools’ transfer agreements and policies before enrolling.

Additionally, students with previous academic or professional experience should look for schools with generous transfer policies or options to receive credit for work experience.

School Size and Type: Some students prefer small class sizes, while others enjoy the resources and extracurricular activities available on larger campuses. Schools generally provide information about average class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios.

Private schools typically offer smaller class sizes than public schools. However, private colleges tend to list higher tuition rates than public institutions.

Program Length: Students planning to earn a certificate or a degree in paralegal studies online should consider each prospective program’s length. Paralegal certificate programs generally take about six months to complete, whereas an online paralegal associate degree typically takes two years. Each student’s program completion time depends on their personal situation and enrollment status. Part-time students typically take longer to graduate than full-time students.

On-Campus Requirements: Students who take classes on campus must regularly commute to school. Learners considering on-campus or hybrid programs should ensure that they can fit these synchronous obligations into their schedule. Students pursuing on-campus learning should also choose a school with a reasonable commute or factor the cost of relocation into their budget.

Paralegals help lawyers prepare solid cases. They gather information, conduct research on relevant laws and legal precedents, write reports, organize documents, and contact clients for interviews.

While they assist lawyers, paralegals cannot perform acts that require a legal license, including offering legal advice and setting legal fees.

Generalist paralegals often work in small law firms. They must know about a variety of legal areas and prove adept at performing many tasks. Aspiring paralegals can also specialize in a certain area or pursue certification in a niche. Common specialization areas for paralegals include:

Law offices and professional organizations often use the terms “paralegal” and “legal assistant” interchangeably. Firms may use the term legal assistant to describe the nature of a paralegal’s job, which includes assisting legal professionals with cases.

Legal secretaries, on the other hand, have fewer responsibilities and more limitations than paralegals. Legal secretaries Typically, answer phone calls, manage front desks at law offices, and forward memos.

While the profession does not require certification, certification typically leads to more career opportunities for paralegals. Many employers require or prefer paralegals with professional certification.

To become a certified paralegal, candidates must meet the educational requirements of the certifying organization and must pass one or more certification exams. Some associate programs feature curricula designed to meet certification standards.

Candidates for paralegal certifications must typically pass an exam, such as: